Athens State University strives to recruit, retain, and graduate a high-quality, diverse, and successful student body, as well as promote mutually beneficial relationships with other institutions. This encompasses strengthening global ties and enhancing relationships with foreign universities. To this end, Athens State is pleased to announce that the University has signed Memorandums of Understanding with Kuvempu University, Vijayanagara Sri Krishnadevarya University, and the Karnataka State Higher Education Council in Karnataka, India.
These partnerships were designed to:
- develop research and academic programs in the areas of Commerce and Management, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Education
- promote international exchange of faculty, staff, and students through research opportunities, sabbaticals, summer camps, study abroad, internships, and related academic activities
- develop, organize, and host joint academic symposia, conferences, workshops, and meetings
- facilitate dual degree twinning programs and 2+2 pathways and 2 + 3 pathways whereby Indian students could complete their undergraduate and graduate education at Athens State
- provide cultural enrichment for each university’s employees and students
Athens State University President Way and Cabinet were joined at the signings by many dignitaries from India, including officials from the Karnataka State Higher Education Council, and Vice-Chancellors from both Indian Universities, as well as Alabama elected state and local officials, Alabama Commission on Higher Education leaders, and the Athens State University Board of Trustees.
“Partnering with institutions in India is desirable to Athens State because of their high regard for a U.S. education, a long history of Indian students coming to the U.S. for university study, and English being spoken on a widespread basis among educated people,” said Athens State University President Dr. Philip Way.
“As we know, we are in a global society and dynamic business environment. Higher education is in a strategic and relevant position to contribute in meaningful ways to this agenda and landscape,” stated Dr. Kim LaFevor, Senior Executive to the President for Strategy & Innovation at Athens State University. “Among these include the outreach, admission, and inclusion of international students and creating more holistic academic learning experiences of mutual benefit and in tandem with international partner institutions. Through such initiatives, we are ideally positioned to achieve even higher standards of global education, internationalization, and acculturation, while growing a richly diverse student base.”